Starting in January, Maryville Children’s Healthcare Center will be able to care for additional medically-fragile children. State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) sponsored legislation to allow the center to expand services in January of 2018 instead of June.

“I am thankful that we were able to pass legislation to enable Maryville to expand their services even sooner,” Mulroe said. “This legislative change wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Sister Catherine Ryan, advocates and constituents. Together, we are strengthening our community.”

House Bill 1059 changes the effective date of legislation to increase the number of children allowed to be treated at Maryville under the community-based health care center model from June 1, 2018 to Jan. 1, 2018. Maryville Children’s Healthcare Center supports children that depend on medical technology, such as ventilators. The center trains and assists parents to provide a smooth transition when a child returns home after being hospitalized.

Victims of domestic or sexual violence would be able to use paid sick time to address their physical and mental needs under legislation introduced by State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago).

“The goal of this legislation is to make it easier for victims of domestic violence to get the help they need,” Mulroe said. “If a victim has accrued paid sick time, I think they should be able to use it to address their needs after being abused. Our workforce is strengthened when employees are able to take paid time off to heal.”

The Illinois Employee Sick Leave Act allows workers to use sick leave benefits to attend to their medical needs and the medical needs of their family members. Under the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA), victims of domestic or sexual violence are permitted to take unpaid leave to seek medical care, receive victim services, to participate in safety planning or to seek legal assistance. The act does not require employers to allow employees to use paid sick time for a VESSA leave.

State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) is disappointed that the governor vetoed yet another measure to support firefighters. The governor recently vetoed House Bill 688, which addresses a pension issue for firefighters that worked outside of Chicago and then transferred to the Chicago Fire Department. This marks the third pro-firefighter piece of legislation that the governor has vetoed in the past 18 months.

“Firefighters that have served in communities outside of Chicago should be able to transfer their pension contributions from their previous fund to their current pension fund,” Mulroe said.

House Bill 688 allows active firefighters to transfer up to 10 years of creditable service from the Downstate Firefighter Pension Fund to the Firemen’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago. Active firefighters would also be able to transfer up to six years of creditable service from a police pension fund to a firefighters’ pension if both funds are administered by the same unit of local government. These transfers must occur within six months of this legislation going into effect.

Last year, the governor vetoed Senate Bill 440, a measure Mulroe sponsored to support widows, widowers and family members of Chicago police officers, firefighters, and paramedics that die in the line of duty. The legislature took action and overrode the governor’s veto. The legislature also overrode the governor’s veto of a measure to refinance Chicago’s police and fire pension funds last year.

“I will support Senator Cunningham’s efforts to override the governor’s misguided veto of House Bill 688,” Mulroe said. “It is time to do what’s right for those who risk their lives to protect our communities.”

Today State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) honored Corporal Donald W. Bollman by dedicating the bridge on Illinois Route 19 that crosses the Des Plaines River in his memory. Corporal Bollman, who gave his life during the Vietnam War, was a lifelong resident of Norridge before serving in the Marines.

“It is important for us to remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives for our safety and our freedom,” Mulroe said. “I was privileged to sponsor the resolution to dedicate this bridge across the Des Plaines River to Corporal Donald Bollman. Though he died 50 years ago, his memory and sacrifice will live on with this bridge.”

Corporal Bollman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1965. He served in California as a Marine Guard before beginning a tour in South Vietnam. While serving in South Vietnam, his company came under attack from a North Vietnamese battalion. Corporal Bollman was killed in action on March 1, 1967 at the age of 23. He received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with a V for Valor for his service.

“This bridge dedication means so much to our family because it not only honors the loss of our beloved brother Donald, who sacrificed his life for his country, but after all these years we know now he will never be forgotten,” Norman Bollman, brother of Corporal Donald Bollman said. “I know that it will help my brothers and sister to finally have some closure even though he will always be a part of our lives.”

The bridge is located on West Irving Park Road. A sign commemorating Corporal Donald Bollman is now in place at the entrance to the bridge.